Ethiopia's Private Candidates Call for Access to Media Coverage

Hundreds of private candidates demonstrated Thursday demanding access to media coverage and fair fund distribution donated by the donors' community to all candidates for the May 15 elections.

The private candidates said that the concerned bodies denied them to give airtime on radio and television to introduce their programs and agendas to their supporters.

They said that they are unable to introduce their agendas even in the kebele's hall and public gathering areas.

"We have been asking the concerned bodies to have access to media and public gathering areas. But they refused to give us any cooperation yet. That is why we have organized this demonstration today," they said.

Major Sisay Tsegaye, chairman of the private candidates, said that the private candidates are currently at the crossroad to fairly compete for the May elections.

"We are in a very difficult situation at the moment. Even the NEBE (the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia) closed its door to talk us about any issue we are demanding," Sisay said.

People's Daily Online